Daniel Kaelin is set to be a Cavalier. The former Nebraska quarterback chose to commit to the Cavaliers on Sunday after his visit to Virginia.
«I think just right away after my name was in the portal, they were one of the first schools to reach out and it was really clear how much they they truly wanted me,» Kaelin said about his decision to commit to Virginia. «They thought very highly me as a player, so that’s why I made a priority to get out there as soon as I could and visit and I love the campus. It’s a really cool area, but I think just overall, it’s an incredible coaching staff. [Virginia head] Coach [Tony] Elliott obviously has a lot of pedigree being on some some elite teams in college football, and I think I personally have a lot of confidence that he definitely has as a great blueprint to do that again at UVA, and I think everyone else on the coaching staff is aligned with him.
And I think they have a lot of momentum going into this off season to continue to build on what they’ve done so far. And I’m excited to be a part of it.»
Kaelin said he liked speaking with the staff during the visit – especially sitting down and talking about the offensive with offensive coordinator Des Kitchings.
«I think one of the coolest parts for me was just being able to sit down with with Coach Kitchings and coach [Taylor] Lamb and just talk ball and go through their offensive philosophies, how they kind of see things, and how they call things – and that was big for me, » he explained. «Because I feel like I definitely fit the way they’re trying to attack on offense. But also I was able to visit around around campus, just see the area, obviously really historic and prestigious school, but I think just that the side of football, and being around the coaching staff, being around some of the current players there – just good to see how they go about doing things, as far as the culture that they’ve already instilled in the program, and like I said, how they want to attack teams offensively.»
Kaelin also spent some time with wide receiver Trell Harris and quarterback Grady Brosterhous.
«They’re returning some really high level receivers. And obviously they have a few targets they’re going after in the portal. But I just think their versatility in the passing game, they have a good play action game.. they really have everything you’d want in a passing attack, and then also have a good run game to go along with it. So I think that’s kind of what stood out to me.»
As a senior at Bellevue West in 2023, Kaelin completed 187-of-319 passes for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns, against only six interceptions. He also rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Thunderbirds to a 7-4 record and a trip to the state semifinals. Kaelin is already familiar with Virginia quarterback coach Taylor Lamb. Lambwent out to Nebraska to watch Kaelin throw and offered him a few days later.
The Cavaliers are looking to bolster their numbers in the quarterback room and are open to possibly taking two quarterbacks this offseason from the transfer portal – after UVA’s starter from last season, Anthony Colandrea, entered the portal.
Kaelin is eager to get to work.
«I’m just excited to start throwing with the receivers and start building that connection.. to get in the playbook and start building for something, something special to happen in the fall, which I think we can definitely get to.»